Let voters have say in library move

Published: Tuesday, July 15, 2014 2:06 p.m. CDT

From Larry Hicks

Creston

“If I agreed with you, we would both be wrong” is an expression I feel is appropriate at this time. Ms. Coulter, the library board, the mayor and perhaps the city council are making the assumption that everyone agrees with them that the library must be moved from its lovely historical building in nearby downtown Creston to a less than satisfactory abandoned building further from the downtown area. No amount of patience by many of the fine citizens of Creston and the surrounding area is going to change the opposition. The library board has just found a novel, although less than ethical, way to circumvent the public by not bringing such an important issue to a public vote.

Simply place the issue on the November ballot in a simple yes or no manner and let the eligible voters have a say in what direction this project goes. After all, they will be expected to pay future maintenance and all other expenses including construction cost overrun. If approval should pass, all should get behind the project, however, should the proposal fail, the library board should give it up and redirect their funds and energies in support of the present facility. If they still have energy left over, addressing the sad condition of our city streets would be a good place to start.

I can’t imagine any corporation or funding organization contributing to a questionable project such as this unless they are led to believe it is supported by the majority of the taxpayers and voting public.

In closing, one must be skeptical that the original building cost estimate as posted on the now absent thermometer would be anywhere close to accurate today.